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General election: leaders stake out climate credentials in Channel 4 debate – live news General election: leaders stake out climate credentials in Channel 4 debate – live news
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson replaced by melting ice sculpture in debate on Channel 4 discussing climate crisisBoris Johnson replaced by melting ice sculpture in debate on Channel 4 discussing climate crisis
Michael Gove, who attempted to replace Boris Johnson in the Channel 4 climate debate, was confronted at the channel’s London studios by a 15-year-old climate activist.
As he was turned away from the debate after being told it was for party leaders only, he was confronted by Izzy Warren, who lambasted the prime minister’s failure to attend.
She told him: “What young people think is Boris Johnson’s showing up to discuss Brexit, he’s showing up to discuss all these other issues.
“And actually he’s not here to talk about the climate. He’s not here to talk about what is ultimately the most pressing issue.”
Michael Gove - a former environment secretary - replied: “I’m here. I can talk about it.”
You can watch the exchange in full below:
An update on the attempt by the Conservative party to have Michael Gove take Boris Johnson’s place in the Channel 4 leaders’ climate debate, which was rejected:
Watching the debate in “the spin room” the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, insisted that Gove had been “absolutely geared up to represent the Conservative party and the prime minister”.
“Michael Gove would have made a big, big contribution,” he said, adding that he suspected the other party leaders had realised that the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster “would have wiped the floor with them”.
Moving away from the climate debate, the SNP candidate for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, a key SNP target seat defended by Corbyn ally Lesley Laird, has been stripped of his candidacy over alleged anti-Semitism.
Neale Hanvey, who was widely expected to win the seat, has been stripped of his candidacy and suspended from the party pending disciplinary action.
Read the full story from our Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, here:
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said the invitation for Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come and debate the climate emergency “remains open”.Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said the invitation for Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come and debate the climate emergency “remains open”.
In concluding the climate debate, Mr Guru-Murthy said: “Thank you to all our party leaders who came tonight. Thank you also to Michael Gove from the Conservative Party who did come here, but sadly, as we made clear from the start, this debate was for leaders only and our leaders were only prepared to debate other leaders.In concluding the climate debate, Mr Guru-Murthy said: “Thank you to all our party leaders who came tonight. Thank you also to Michael Gove from the Conservative Party who did come here, but sadly, as we made clear from the start, this debate was for leaders only and our leaders were only prepared to debate other leaders.
“Our offer to Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come here and discuss the climate emergency remains open.”“Our offer to Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come here and discuss the climate emergency remains open.”
The Tories have threatened to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit following the channel’s decision to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during the debate.The Tories have threatened to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit following the channel’s decision to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during the debate.
Asked about his own personal resolution in relation to climate, Corbyn said: “I’m always the last one to turn the heating on. In fact, we turned it on for the first time last week in my house, and that was very low temperature anyway, and I turned it off pretty quickly after that.Asked about his own personal resolution in relation to climate, Corbyn said: “I’m always the last one to turn the heating on. In fact, we turned it on for the first time last week in my house, and that was very low temperature anyway, and I turned it off pretty quickly after that.
“I’m quite miserable actually on this basis, because I don’t like to see the waste of energy that goes with it.”“I’m quite miserable actually on this basis, because I don’t like to see the waste of energy that goes with it.”
Corbyn also said he grows plants in his garden and allotment.Corbyn also said he grows plants in his garden and allotment.
Berry was the last leader asked, and she said that so many pledges “end up on a dusty shelf”, adding: “I just cannot sit back and watch this happen again. Greta Thunberg is only a teenager, she’s already sick of hearing broken promises.Berry was the last leader asked, and she said that so many pledges “end up on a dusty shelf”, adding: “I just cannot sit back and watch this happen again. Greta Thunberg is only a teenager, she’s already sick of hearing broken promises.
“Think how I feel at my age.”“Think how I feel at my age.”
The leaders were asked what their personal climate change resolutions are.The leaders were asked what their personal climate change resolutions are.
Sturgeon said that at home, her energy provider is one that gets all its energy from renewable sources, adding that she is trying to fly less.Sturgeon said that at home, her energy provider is one that gets all its energy from renewable sources, adding that she is trying to fly less.
“Sometimes it’s inescapable in the job that I do, but trying to use the train much more when I come to London, as I did today for example,” she said.“Sometimes it’s inescapable in the job that I do, but trying to use the train much more when I come to London, as I did today for example,” she said.
Sturgeon also said she is “much more conscious” about what she eats and where her food is sourced from.Sturgeon also said she is “much more conscious” about what she eats and where her food is sourced from.
Swinson mentioned a keep cup and recycling, and pointed out that her campaign bus is electric.Swinson mentioned a keep cup and recycling, and pointed out that her campaign bus is electric.
Price said he plans to start cycling and will shift to an electric vehicle in the new year, adding: “I convinced my partner as well we’re going to give a go with reusable nappies as well to make our own small but important contribution.”Price said he plans to start cycling and will shift to an electric vehicle in the new year, adding: “I convinced my partner as well we’re going to give a go with reusable nappies as well to make our own small but important contribution.”
Sturgeon said Scotland’s transition away from fossil fuels needs to accelerate.Sturgeon said Scotland’s transition away from fossil fuels needs to accelerate.
She said: “We’re in the transition away from fossil fuels, and that transition has to accelerate.”She said: “We’re in the transition away from fossil fuels, and that transition has to accelerate.”
On the need for decarbonisation of the gas grid, Sturgeon added: “There’s not enough priority being given to that by the current UK government and I hope that changes after the election.”On the need for decarbonisation of the gas grid, Sturgeon added: “There’s not enough priority being given to that by the current UK government and I hope that changes after the election.”
Price also pledged that Plaid Cymru would invest £5bn in retrofitting homes.Price also pledged that Plaid Cymru would invest £5bn in retrofitting homes.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Jeremy Corbyn is promising to plant 2bn trees by 2040Reality: The government must already adhere to the Committee for Climate Change target of 1.5bn trees by 2050. Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge is for more trees in 20 rather than 30 years. This means 100m trees must be planted a year to expand woodland and make up for losses. This is ambitious, but is not impossible and not out of synch with what experts say.Claim: Jeremy Corbyn is promising to plant 2bn trees by 2040Reality: The government must already adhere to the Committee for Climate Change target of 1.5bn trees by 2050. Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge is for more trees in 20 rather than 30 years. This means 100m trees must be planted a year to expand woodland and make up for losses. This is ambitious, but is not impossible and not out of synch with what experts say.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Nicola Sturgeon said that last year 85% of the UK’s tree planting took place in Scotland.Claim: Nicola Sturgeon said that last year 85% of the UK’s tree planting took place in Scotland.
Reality: That is correct but the Scottish government has repeatedly failed to meet its national tree-planting targets, set at 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) a year from 2010.Reality: That is correct but the Scottish government has repeatedly failed to meet its national tree-planting targets, set at 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) a year from 2010.
Official data shows that from 2010 to 2017, Scotland’s planting rate averaged 6,800 hectares a year, well below target. Of that, only 820 hectares was planted annually by Forest Enterprise, the government-funded forestry agency, and the rest by private companies or charities.Official data shows that from 2010 to 2017, Scotland’s planting rate averaged 6,800 hectares a year, well below target. Of that, only 820 hectares was planted annually by Forest Enterprise, the government-funded forestry agency, and the rest by private companies or charities.
The overall target was met for the first time last year, when 11,200 hectares were planted.The overall target was met for the first time last year, when 11,200 hectares were planted.
Sturgeon’s government has agreed to greatly increase tree planting in line with recommendations from the UK committee on climate change, which says Scotland can reach net zero five years early than the UK as a whole partly because it has much greater scope for tree planting. However, the Scottish government has yet to decide on how to do so.Sturgeon’s government has agreed to greatly increase tree planting in line with recommendations from the UK committee on climate change, which says Scotland can reach net zero five years early than the UK as a whole partly because it has much greater scope for tree planting. However, the Scottish government has yet to decide on how to do so.
Mr Corbyn said everything possible must be done to reach a 2030 net zero emissions target.Mr Corbyn said everything possible must be done to reach a 2030 net zero emissions target.
The Labour leader said: “I think we have to do everything we can to get to a 2030 net zero emissions target and we do that by investment in green energy jobs, solar, wind and wave power, we do that by creating jobs and transforming our energy consumption, by retrofitting homes to make them environmentally sustainable.”The Labour leader said: “I think we have to do everything we can to get to a 2030 net zero emissions target and we do that by investment in green energy jobs, solar, wind and wave power, we do that by creating jobs and transforming our energy consumption, by retrofitting homes to make them environmentally sustainable.”
He added: “I want to host COP26 next year to go further than Paris, so we can be leaders on the world stage in setting the agenda of achieving this degree of sustainability by 2030.”He added: “I want to host COP26 next year to go further than Paris, so we can be leaders on the world stage in setting the agenda of achieving this degree of sustainability by 2030.”
Ms Sturgeon added that Scotland’s targets are “the toughest in the world” and that they are going “beyond what the Committee on Climate Change has said”.Ms Sturgeon added that Scotland’s targets are “the toughest in the world” and that they are going “beyond what the Committee on Climate Change has said”.
Also calling for the 2030 target, Mr Price said it was a shame that Labour’s manifesto only pledged to get “the majority” of emissions down by 2030, and called on a future UK government to “show the same level of ambition” as other countries.Also calling for the 2030 target, Mr Price said it was a shame that Labour’s manifesto only pledged to get “the majority” of emissions down by 2030, and called on a future UK government to “show the same level of ambition” as other countries.
Ms Swinson said Liberal Democrats “believe it is absolutely possible to get there by 2045”.Ms Swinson said Liberal Democrats “believe it is absolutely possible to get there by 2045”.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Siân Berry, co-leader of the Green Party claims that pasture land used for meat need to be changed to reach carbon neutrality.Claim: Siân Berry, co-leader of the Green Party claims that pasture land used for meat need to be changed to reach carbon neutrality.
Reality: The government’s advisory Committee for Climate Change says a 20-50% reduction in beef and lamb pasture could release 3-7m hectares of grassland from the current 12m hectares in the UK.Reality: The government’s advisory Committee for Climate Change says a 20-50% reduction in beef and lamb pasture could release 3-7m hectares of grassland from the current 12m hectares in the UK.
Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price claimed that this did not mean fewer cattle because grass can bank carbon.Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price claimed that this did not mean fewer cattle because grass can bank carbon.
But the CCC found that un-needed grassland could instead grow forests and biofuels that would help to soak up CO2.But the CCC found that un-needed grassland could instead grow forests and biofuels that would help to soak up CO2.
Price said farmers are “custodians of the environment”, adding that they should be seen as “allies” and not “enemies”.
He added: “We need to be buying more locally, we need to create local food systems.”
Swinson: We need to make sure that we have a target for all new build homes to be zero carbon. The Conservatives scrapped those plans. We would pay for low income homes to have insulation fitted.
Corbyn: We can and do retrofit homes. We don’t have to destroy the countryside with fracking. We don’t have to carry on in this way. Labour’s manifesto sets out large green transformation fund. Social housing will get that done. We will pay for low income houses. Everyone else will be offered an interest-free loan. People will get the benefit of it in lower bills.
Berry: Is this realistic? You’ve got to do it in a comprehensive way. More than half of UK emissions are from our buildings and homes. “It’s not sexy” going around putting insulation in people’s homes so successive governments have ignored it. Of £100bn a year in our Green New Deal, £38bn needs to go into homes. We need a deeper retrofit than what Labour are proposing. We can change everyone’s boilers to a heat pump, but only if we insulate first.
Sturgeon: We must prioritise transport and heat. We in Scotland already have a home energy efficiency programme. Already put hundreds of millions into helping people insulate their homes. Some people will have to pay, but government has a big part to play. Scotland cannot de-carbonise the gas grid on its own. Transition away from fossil fuels must accelerate. If we were to stop oil production tomorrow we would make ourselves more reliant on imports. We must also focus on the justice of transition - can’t do this in a way that leaves people behind and decimates peoples’ jobs. The legacy of deindustrialisation is still there and we can’t make the same mistake.
Price: Wales can be there at the start of this new industrial revolution if we tap into that potential. We can reap the benefits of de-carbonisation and get there first.
Jeremy Corbyn insists there must be better bus services across the country, rather than just in London, in order to reduce air pollution through car use.
Siân Berry accuses other parties of “abstaining” on climate change over aviation, arguing that the focus must be on targeting frequent flyers.
Adam Price calls HS2 a “vanity project”, saying that Plaid Cymru do not support a third Heathrow airport runway either.
Siân Berry emphasises that the Greens want to cancel HS2, arguing that people want better public transport.
Jeremy Corbyn argues that many people in the UK are hungry or obese due to food pricing, saying that we must extend biodiversity in UK farms.
Adam Price of Plaid Cymru rejects the premise that we must reduce our dairy and meat intake, insisting that we need to be buying locally rather than importing.
Nicola Sturgeon reminds the audience that half of international flights are taken by less than 10% of the population. “We’ve got to make sure that industry and government are leading by example, rather than focusing on individuals,” the SNP leader said.
Jo Swinson mentions the Liberal Democrats’ policy of an international frequent flyer tax for those who take over three return flights a year.
Green party co-leader Siân Berry has accused Labour of “weakening” the goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.
Jeremy Corbyn responded to say that Labour are not weakening the 2030 goal, but that the UK is only one country and it must be a global effort.
Nicola Sturgeon insisted that the best way to tackle the climate crisis is not to be squabbling with one another.
Jo Swinson emphasised the significance of remaining in the EU to tackle climate change.
The climate debate on Channel 4 has now started.
Clive Lewis, Labour’s Treasury spokesman, has called the prime minister a “coward and a bully” in response to the Conservative party’s threats to Channel 4 over its broadcasting remit.
He said: “Boris Johnson is a coward and a bully. He thinks he is born to rule and is so used to getting his own way that he turns nasty when anyone dares challenge him.“Britain deserves a prime minister that has enough of a backbone to face up to scrutiny.”
The Tories are threatening to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit if they win the general election, after the channel decided to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during its climate change debate tonight.
Our media editor, Jim Waterson, has the full story:
Michael Gove and the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, have turned up at the Channel 4 event, with Gove wanting to speak in the climate debate on behalf of the Conservatives. The broadcaster refused him entry on the basis that he is not a party leader.
Ben de Pear, the editor of Channel 4 News, tweeted:
Hayley Barlow, Channel 4’s director of communications, said Gove was offered drinks and nibbles, but has now left the building.
Jeremy Corbyn, Jo Swinson, Nicola Sturgeon, Sian Berry (Green party) and Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) are preparing for Channel 4’s climate change debate which starts in less than half an hour.
Both Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage are to be replaced with melting ice sculptures after they refused to attend.
We will be keeping you updated on the debate via the live blog.